Windows Server Backup (Server 2016 Essentials) - All VSS writers failing

Rob 61 Reputation points
2020-08-26T18:00:25.027+00:00

Hi,

I have been noticing some errors on the Windows Server Backups, although the backup appears to complete it reports that it was incomplete. Further investigation I can see that the VSS writers are failing. I can restore them back by rebooting the server but as soon as the back is initiated they all fail again. The eventlog is full of SPP errors, this screenshot is basically every VSS writer in the system that has gone to a failed state.

20596-vss1.png

20597-vss2.png

I've gone through the normal VSS troubleshooting but nothing appears to be working. The server is running the Essentials feature along with a SQL Express instance. The backup is backing up to a USB external hard disk.

Any thoughts on this gratefully received.

Rob

Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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Windows Server Backup
Windows Server Backup
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Backup: A duplicate copy of a program, a disk, or data, made either for archiving purposes or for safeguarding valuable files from loss should the active copy be damaged or destroyed.
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  1. Xiaowei He 9,866 Reputation points
    2020-08-27T02:56:47.267+00:00

    Hi,

    All writer missing is a rare scenario. Usually it can be fixed by restart VSS services.

    If there is still no luck to bring up writers, try to restart all services using following sequence:
    Com+
    Cryptsvc
    VSS

    Microsoft software shadow copy service

    This normally works for Windows Server 2012 series and Windows Server 2016.

    If still no luck, then jackpot. You might hit corrupted COM+ event system registry corrupted.

    You can collect process monitor and see if there is multiple registry query not found. And see if you got such event in application logs:

    The COM+ Event System detected a bad return code during its internal processing. HRESULT was 80070002 from line 200 of com\complus\src\events\tier2\service.cpp. This warning may be expected if the computer is low on resources. If the computer is not low on resources, and these warnings persist, it may indicate a problem in the COM+ Event System.

    Volume Shadow Copy Service error: Unexpected error calling routine CoCreateInstance. hr = 0x800401fb, Object is not registered . Operation: Subscribing Writer Context: Writer Class Id: {4dc3bdd4-ab48-4d07-adb0-3bee2926fd7f} Writer Name: Shadow Copy Optimization Writer Writer Instance ID: {b799e1a9-4533-448b-a89c-045b138c4c35}

    In that case, you can try to restore the corrupted registry from another good machine. Or you can get core engineer’s help. If you would like to open a case with MS, you may refer to the following link:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/gp/customer-service-phone-numbers


    If the reply could be of help, please help to accept it as an answer, thanks for your cooperation!
    Thanks for your time!
    Best Regards,
    Anne

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